MHHS looks to make impact in new class, league

Mountain Home High School will have one of its tallest and youngest volleyball teams in recent years, but the Lady Bombers return tons of experience, even with their youth.

The group has only one senior, but five of its eight juniors started in matches last season for a team that finished 20-8.

Jill Daves, a Valley View graduate, takes the reins of the Lady Bombers after 11-year head coach Lindsey Leonard moved to junior high basketball coach after a 216-103 career volleyball mark.

“We’ll be young and make some young mistakes," Daves said, "but our strength has to be our will to win. Teams either have that or they don’t, and this is a very competitive group. This group needs to work on staying calm and relaxed and just keep in mind our long-term goals.”

With the state of Arkansas transitioning to six classifications in all sports besides football, Mountain Home drops to Class 5A.

Buy Photo

Charlie Pierce(Photo: Neal Denton/The Baxter Bulletin)

The Lady Bombers are in the newly modified 5A-East Conference. Jonesboro, Marion, West Memphis and Searcy also made the drop from 6A to 5A, joining Nettleton, Paragould and Greene County Tech to form a super conference of perennial volleyball powerhouses.

“They’re excited, because they want to play good teams and are up for the challenge," Daves said of her team. "We went to the Valley View camp this summer and made it to the (semifinals) and lost to Valley View by five points.”

The team isn't shying away from the fact it will be playing in one of the toughest top-to-bottom volleyball conferences in school history.

“Jonesboro and Paragould are probably the teams to beat, but Nettleton and Greene County Tech are well-coached," Daves said. "You can’t count out Marion because they are always consistent. We just want to take it one game at a time, but our first goal is always going to be to win the conference.”

Buy Photo

Claudia Carter(Photo: Neal Denton/The Baxter Bulletin)

Mountain Home has started an elementary intramural volleyball program called the Flight Crew.

“We are starting an elementary program for fifth- and sixth-graders," Daves said, "and next year, we might add fourth grade. We want to introduce the game at a young age.”

The Bombers return the majority of last year's team, which kept alive a seven-year streak of winning 20 or more matches.

Charlie Pierce, a high-leaping, 5-foot-10 junior, is a returning starter at outside hitter.

“She is our court leader," Daves said. "She has a very strong desire to win. She’s very smart at seeing the floor. She’s very coachable and always looking to the sidelines.

Buy Photo

Kyra Pinn(Photo: Neal Denton/The Baxter Bulletin)

Claudia Carter, a 6-foot junior, is also a returning front-row player.

“She is super explosive," Daves said. "She’s a very versatile player on the front row and plays all three positions. She’s a huge presence on the floor.”

Kyra Pinn, another 6-footer, who is the team’s lone senior, returns to volleyball after playing the sport in junior high.

Buy Photo

Anna Grace Foreman(Photo: Neal Denton/The Baxter Bulletin)

“She was playing basketball, and I saw her in the hallway and told her she needed to come play with us," Daves said. "She is a big blocker and gets her hand on a lot of touches. She is a pleasure to coach and has a great attitude.”

Anna Grace Foreman, a 6-2 junior, gained valuable experience last season as a sophomore.

“A returning junior who is a big right front hitter and big blocker," Daves said. "She’s another presence on the floor that gets a team going with her communication and celebrating. She keeps us grounded and relaxed.”

Buy Photo

Leah Jackson(Photo: Neal Denton/The Baxter Bulletin)

Another sophomore addition is Reanna Dodge, a 6-foot-3 lefty who will help the team immediately.

"She’s very raw, and is left-handed," Daves said. "We’re expecting big things from her in the future. Reanna will be out our first game (at Huntsville), and Kennedi Palmer will take her spot. She does a very good job. Mallory Pierski will be hitting in the front row, probably the middle. Jaden Chapa will be playing all the way around on JV and get some time in the varsity playing back row.”

Setter Leah Jackson is another junior who is a returning starter.

“She’ll be playing all the way around," Daves said. "We’ll be running a 5-1 with her. She’s probably the toughest athlete I’ve ever coached. She works super hard and is mentally tough.”

Buy Photo

Grace Beckham(Photo: Neal Denton/The Baxter Bulletin)

Daves said Reagan Buckley and Kiana Chapa will serve as junior varsity setters.

Grace Beckham is strong at setting and will be one of the team's top defensive specialists.

“Grace will be playing opposite of Leah," Daves said. "She’ll play mainly defense, but if we need her to come set, she will.”

Returning starter at libero, Elaine Blackmon is another key junior for the Lady Bombers.

Buy Photo

Elaine Blackmon(Photo: Neal Denton/The Baxter Bulletin)

“She’s very smart at reading the floor and is always where she needs to be," Daves said. "She’s the most consistent player on the team.”

Sophomores Riley Straka and Olivia Weber will assist on the back row.

“Riley Straka is the volleyball version of the Tasmanian devil," Daves said. "She never holds back and is her teammates’ biggest fan. She has a great attitude and wants to please. Olivia will be a back row defensive specialist and is a good passer.”